A new fellowship programme, named after one of the world’s most infamous leaders, is set to encourage innovation within Australia's horticulture industry.

Three Churchill Fellowships will be offered per year over the next four years, with recipients provided with the resources to travel the world and access knowledge not readily available in Australia. The follows are then tasked with growing the nation’s collective knowledge by sharing their findings.

The fellowships will be offered under a new partnership between the Churchill Trust and Horticulture Innovation Australia.

“There are two things every Churchill Fellowship applicant needs to display – the first is present a research project that will provide benefit to the Australian community,” said Churchill Trust chief executive Adam Davey.

“The second is showing how all of the skills, insights and knowledge they gather from world experts during their fellowship, can be shared once they return home.”

The fellowship programme is aptly named after former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who famously referred to gardening as the “natural occupation of man.”

Hort Innovation chief executive, John Lloyd, said the organisation’s investment in these sought-after fellowship opportunities form part of the biggest industry leadership drive in history.

“In the face of an ageing horticultural industry and a fast moving technological landscape, we are rolling out a host of tailored development opportunities for growers, and this is one not to be missed,” he said.

Applications for the 2017 Churchill Fellowship are now open and will close on 28 April.